Officially become a local with this moving to a new state checklist. (2023)

When Americans move, they don't usually go too far. In 2017, 62% of removal companies not only stayed in the same federal state, butnever made it out of the county. Additionally, only 5.5% of homeowners have moved at all in the past year (compared to 21.7% of renters).

What seems like a general reluctance to uproot our lives reflects how hard it can be to move, especially when it involves long distances or across state lines.

However, sometimes you'll be standing in the yard with a For Sale sign and your bags packed for a permanent trip to a distant destination. if you arechasing a job in another cityor thewarm Florida sun, use this transition to a new state checklist to cover all your bases and instantly make a strange place feel like home.

Here it is – your checklist for moving to a new state

Work with local real estate agents - one in your current city and one in your destination.
Before you move, take a trip to scout everything out.
Get the location of the country with Google Maps.
Consolidate your moving plans to get from A to B.
Set up utilities with your new local provider.
Change your address officially at the post office.
Find out your partial annual state taxes.
Cancel running services and subscriptions.
Transfer your local bank account.
Update your home and car insurance.
Obtain a copy of your medical record.
Check with health professionals and hospitals nearby.
Get a new license and change your vehicle registration.
Make new connections through social networks and local apps.

Now let's break down each checklist item one by one so you can start acclimatization right away.

Work with local real estate agents - one in your current city and one in your destination.

An interstate move creates pressure onSell ​​your home fast, especially in the case of a job transfer orLife event like divorce. These situations bring a degree of chaos, and you don't want to get stuck trying to market your home remotely or juggling housing costs in multiple locations.

To speed things up, it's a good idea to team up with alocal real estate agentwith a proven track record of selling homes quickly. You should check the agent's averagedays in the market, total home sales, average selling price, years of experience, and how they sold similar properties in your neighborhood.

In the meantime, a local buyers agent in your new city will not only help you find the closest place to call home, but they can also be a great source of local knowledge.

Christie Cannon, which has helped numerous new homeowners move into their marketFrisco, Texas, explains how it is her job to know the city like the back of her hand and also to help her customers to get to know it.

Ask your agent about everything - property taxes, traffic patterns, cafes, hiking trails, shops, restaurants and top local attractions.

Not sure where to start with your agent search? You can useHomeLight's broker matching engineto compare all the best selling and hyper local real estate experts in your city and even invade specific neighborhoods.

Before you move, take a trip to scout everything out.

If logistically possible, hop in the car or book a flight to your destination city before making the move official.

Talk to anyone who lives or has lived there about what they would recommend testing for youlive like the locals.

Ask them for suggestions on the best places to eat, weekend activities, and what different parts of the city have to offer. Go to Facebook to expand your referral crowdsourcing.

Based on your conversations and the responses you get, make an itinerary for your trip and try to stay at least a week. You could even stay in an Airbnb (or split your stay into different areas) to get a feel for living like a real resident.

Enjoy the sights and experiences, but don't treat the trip like a lazy vacation. You are doing research here!

Get the location of the country with Google Maps.

Since it is impossible to get a complete overview of a place with one trip alone,Google Maps Street View toolis a great way to virtually explore your new hood from almost any angle without leaving your desk.

Enter the city and state, then use the zoom feature to break down and familiarize yourself with your new city's landmarks, major streets, local shops and businesses, restaurants, gyms, and public transportation.

If you have a rough idea of ​​where everything is when you arrive, you will feel a bit at home from the start.

Get your moving plans to plan the journey from A to B.

One3 million American homesmove across national borders every year. Since thean average interstate move costs $4,300most of these interstate movers choose to tackle the daunting challenge of moving without professional help.

If you decide to go the do-it-yourself route to keep moving costs down, start by gathering all the materials you will needfacilitate movementwith a visit to the hardware store, then fill in the gaps with our comprehensiveChecklist for moving material.

On the other hand, if a large move across state lines feels like an impossible task that you can handle on your own, you want to do itCompare long distance moving companiesBe careful not to work with movers who take forever, are late, or won't contact you while your delicate valuables make the perilous journey from Chicago toTampa.

"We have a few movers that we recommend, and those are the big, big movers," says Cannon, the Texas agent.

"We don't recommend anyone who isn't highly insured, highly respected and hasn't been around for a very long time."

Vice President of American Van LinesAndi Kroll, who has over 20 years of long-distance moving experience, recommends getting at least 3 quotes from different moving companies. All offers should end up at about the same price - if one is significantly cheaper than the others, then that's a red flag.

In addition to the price comparison, you must also inquire about the services included in the basic costs and their fee structure with each moving company. Be sure to ask:

1. 1. Do you calculate by distance, time, weight or a combination of some or all?
   2. What type of insurance do you offer for my belongings?
   3. Do you offer moving advice and match movers with a move coordinator?
   4. What other services do you offer, such as B. Packing, unpacking and setting up the devices?

All of these things affect the bottom line of your move, so it's important to evaluate your options in order to make an informed decision about who to hire.

Set up utilities with your new local provider.

Your current utilities may not offer service in the state you are relocating to, so you need to do a little research on your available providers beforehand.

The best proven way to find your new utility provider is to simply do a Google search, although many city and state websites also have this information.

Most cities offer local services such as garbage collection, recycling, water, sewerage and refuse collection. Gas, water or electricity services are also often provided at the state level, which means you can visit themwww.usa.govto find a state's official website. Or you can check herePower plans in Texas.

Contact a new provider at least two weeks before your move-in date. Many utilities have a 3-5 day turnaround time, so try to cushion the timing as much as possible so you don't go without hot water for the first week.

If you're moving in the summer, peak moving season, the waiting time for services to be activated can be even longer. Don't forget to cancel your existing supply services by contacting your current providers and also setting shutdown dates.

Change your address officially at the post office.

First you need to change your address at the post office, which is accomplished by visitingUSPS.com/move, but what about other key government agencies?

Social Security Administration (SSA)

You can use the...SSA Websiteto change your address online. If you are receiving Social Security disability, survivor, retirement, or Medicare benefits, you must do so as soon as possible. If you don't receive any Social Security benefits, you can change your address in person or over the phone—all you have to do iscontact the SSA.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

For tax refunds or other important mail related to your taxes, simplecontact the tax officedirectly to change your address. If you don't expect anything from the IRS any time soon, you can enter your new address in the appropriate space on your next tax return.

state electoral offices

Exercise your right to vote in your state by contacting your new statestate electoral officeto change your address. You'll be assigned a polling station and you're good to go next Election Day!

It takes approximately 7-10 days to process these address changes. So allow enough time before moving for them to take effect.

Find out your partial annual state taxes.

Unless you plan to move to your new state on January 1, you'll likely need to calculate half-year state taxes for the state you're moving from and to.

Most states have tax forms specifically for residents who have only lived in the state part of the year (usually marked "PY" on the form), so check with your former and current oneState Tax Authority websiteto find out which form you need.

If your income is about the same each month, you can get a rough estimate of the taxes you owe in each state by simply counting the income you earn in the month and weeks you owe in each state during the year have lived, have earned, assign.

Cancel running services and subscriptions.

In the chaos of the organizationPackaging, and arrange, it's easy to miss the little things. That's why it's important to tie up any loose ends that you might forget about later, such as:

Recurring Appointments
Cancel any recurring appointments on your calendar like haircuts or teeth cleanings.
Gym memberships
It will be difficult to use your gym from another state, so cancel your membership. If it's a national franchise, learn about transferring your membership.
recipes
Do you have prescriptions to autofill? Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about your move and consider checking with a new provider of your move.
vet appointments
If you have a furry friend in tow for your move, be sure to cancel all existing appointments and find a new vet for him too. You must also inquire with the laws in your new city andConditionto see if you need to register Groucho Barks with the city. Contact your city or county licensing office to find out.

Transfer your local bank account to a new institution.

If you're using a local bank for your banking needs, you'll need to find a new bank in the area you're moving to and transfer your bank account.

It depends on the institution, but note that the transferring banks will likely require you to show up in person with a valid driver's license from the state where you plan to open the bank account.

UseSparkonto.comandBankrate.com, plus read the reviews on itMyBankTrackerto help you find a new bank. Look for a large ATM network that's easy to access, with competitive interest rates and an account with a minimum balance to hold.

Update your home and car insurance.

If you're buying a new home or renting a new apartment, you'll need to update your homeowners insurance or rental policy to your new address. Also, don't forget your auto insurance or policies that cover recreational vehicles or motorcycles that you may also own.

Vince Lefton, the CEO of Bulldog Adjusters in Florida with almost 10 years of insurance experience, suggest speaking to your insurance agent before you move.

"Moving to another state can mean changing the laws regarding your insurance coverage, so before you move, it's important to find out what needs to be completed to keep your insurance current," says Lefton.

Obtain a copy of your medical record

Medical records are the last thing on your mind when you're caught up in the chaos of the move, but you still need to keep track of them.

Instead of trying to call your doctor's office once you're settled, get your own copy of your medical records from your doctor's office before you leave town.

It's a good idea to get records from your GP, dentist, and any other healthcare professional you see regularly so you have the records on hand to present when you meet with your new care provider.

Check with health professionals and hospitals nearby

Speaking of your medical records, it's important to find new medical providers to give them to! It's best to start with your current doctor. Ask them if they have any recommendations or advice on finding a qualified doctor for your move.

Your insurance provider is also a good source. Many healthcare providers have “find a doctor” features on their websites that allow you to read reviews and ensure they are part of your network of providers.

Finally, the American Medical Association aDoctorFinder-ToolYou can find licensed doctors. This tool provides information on licensed doctors, accepted insurance, training and office hours.

You also want to know exactly where the nearest hospital is in the event of an emergency. Find out where it is and add the hospital's address and phone number to your mobile phone contacts.

Get a new license and change your vehicle registration

Moving is a complicated process, which is why you usually have a grace period to get a new license and vehicle registration after the move.

This grace period varies by state, so be sure to consult the state'sDMV-Websiteto find out how long you have left (usually between 30 and 90 days) and what documents you need to complete the transition.

Once you have all your ducks lined up, head to the local registration office, often referred to as the Department of Motor Vehicles or some variation, to apply for a new license and get a new vehicle registration. Upon completion, you will be fully registered to race in your new home state!

Make new connections through social networks and local apps

Once you've sorted out all the details and unpacked the last box, it's time to settle in and start making new connections. This process can take some time, but there are things you can do to speed it up.

Let your smartphone help you find a new network of friends and interests in your new city. Download apps to help you explore your new territory, such as:

To meet

With this app you can literally meet people with whom you share common interests. It's not a dating app; It's simply an app to help you connect with like-minded people and make new friends. Just enter your zip code and a topic you want to discuss with others. You can join themed groups where you can network and, well, meet.

Like a local

This app gives you insider information about local restaurants, bars and cafes. The best part is that the locals provide all the details, so you get the opinions of people in the area who have actually experienced these places. Explore local recommendations by entering your city, which gives you access to details only locals know, such as:

Hey, you look familiar!

Moving is tough, but with our checklist for moving to a new state, you can tick all your T-points and put all your I-points to make the move a little less painful. In fact, you'll be so sedentary that people will mistake you for a longtime local!

Header Image Source: (Edan Cohen/ Unsplash)